Friends Forever

A systematic plan for parents to help their kids acquire and sustain friendships Every parent hopes their child will develop healthy and happy friendships. However, most parents don't know what to do that will encourage their child to be a friend and attract friends. The author offers clear-cut friendship-making guidelines for parents and their children. Some of the book's recommendations include: don't over-schedule a child's time; guide children to participate in "e;friend-attracting"e; activities; seek out friends in the neighborhood. The author includes methods for dealing with bullying and inappropriate friendships Offers clear guidance for helping children become a good friend and attract lasting friendships for life Shows how to teach kids the social and emotional intelligence skills they need to form friendships such as listening, empathy, compassion, recreational conversation The book also includes techniques for teaching kids how to use MySpace, Facebook, and Twitter in positive ways that will foster friendships.

A systematic plan for parents to help their kids acquire andsustain friendshipsEvery parent hopes their child will develop healthy and happyfriendships. However, most parents don't know what to do that willencourage their child to be a friend and attract friends. Theauthor offers clear-cut friendship-making guidelines for parentsand their children. Some of the book's recommendations include:don't over-schedule a child's time; guide children to participatein "friend-attracting" activities; seek out friends in theneighborhood.* The author includes methods for dealing with bullying andinappropriate friendships* Offers clear guidance for helping children become a good friendand attract lasting friendships for life* Shows how to teach kids the social and emotional intelligenceskills they need to form friendships such as listening, empathycompassion, recreational conversation* The book also includes techniques for teaching kids how to useMySpace, Facebook, and Twitter in positive ways that will fosterfriendships.

Acknowledgments ixIntroduction xiPart One: How Parents Can Help 11 Making Time for Friends 32 Curbing Interests That Prevent Friendships 113 Developing Interests That Attract Friends 194 Using Your Neighborhood School for Friends 275 Using Organized Activities to Find Friends 316 Improving Your Networking Skills 43Part Two: Making Friends 497 Joining Others at Play 518 Becoming a Good Sport 679 Looking for Closer Friends and Joining a Friendship Group 7910 Using the Telephone to Make Friends 8711 Using Texting and Instant Messaging to Connect with Friends 10112 Having Fun Play Dates 10913 Becoming a Better Host 12514 School Break and Vacation Activities That Promote Friendships 143Part Three: Keeping Friends 15115 Encouraging Wise Choices 15316 Discouraging Poor Choices 15917 Listening to Your Child's Worries 16918 Having Friends Stolen 17519 Losing a Close Friend 18120 Divorce and Moving Away 185Part Four: Dealing with Teasing, Bullying, and Meanness 19321 Taking the Fun Out of Teasing 19522 Stopping Rumors 20523 Staying Away from Children Who Fight 21124 Dealing with Children Who Bully 217Part Five Helping Your Child Out of Trouble 22725 Working with Adults Who Have Trouble with Your Child 22926 Stopping Your Child's Fighting 23927 Overcoming Hyperactive Behavior 24728 Stopping Your Child's Bullying 25329 Not Noticed by Classmates 25930 Building Friendship Skills and Overcoming a Negative Reputation 267Notes 269Resources 281About the Author 287Index 289